Topographic Ripple Abstract Vector Filter

Topographic Ripple is an optional creative preset that introduces repeated contour-like displacement. It uses Rasterizer's normal swatch, job-processing, and export logic.

Best use

Start with artwork that has a recognizable subject, strong contrast, or clearly separated color regions so the abstract effect has useful structure to transform. The effect is intentionally interpretive, so test it with reduced processing dimensions before committing to a detailed export.

Controls

The preset panel exposes only the parameters supported by this filter. Depending on the preset and source artwork, more aggressive or denser settings can increase processing time, memory use, and vector-object count.

Output

The transformed geometry remains organized according to its matching Rasterizer swatches. In a Material Library-backed job, it is placed on the corresponding LightBurn layers configured with the matched cut settings. Inspect the generated .svg file and, when produced, the .lbrn2 LightBurn project before engraving.

Control reference

Ranges and defaults below come directly from the current filter implementation.

Amplitude

Default 3 · Range -30–30 · Step 0.5

Controls the strength and direction of the radial ripple displacement, with larger magnitudes producing stronger distortion and opposite signs reversing the displacement pattern.

Analogy: Like changing how strongly a dropped stone pushes ripples across the surface of water.

Frequency

Default 0.18 · Range 0.01–1 · Step 0.01

Controls how rapidly ripple cycles repeat with distance from the center, with higher values placing the concentric distortions closer together.

Analogy: Like reducing a topographic map's contour interval so more contour lines fit within the same distance.

Phase

Default 0 · Range 0–6.283 · Step 0.05

Shifts the starting position of the wave cycle without changing its amplitude or frequency.

Analogy: Like sliding a sheet of striped wallpaper sideways without changing the width or spacing of its stripes.

Center X

Default 0.5 · Range 0–1 · Step 0.01

Sets the horizontal position of the vortex center, where 0 is the left edge, 0.5 is the middle, and 1 is the right edge.

Analogy: Like moving the fixed point of a drawing compass from the left side of the page to the right.

Center Y